ENTREPRENEUR AND BOARD MEMEBER: ERIC POE

Author: Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
Published: Tuesday, 10 Feb 2026

Sharing

Image caption: Eric Poe, member of the Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa Cedar Valley Community Impact Board.

As a second-generation leader at his family’s business, Crystal Cold, Eric Poe understands the importance of hard work, innovation, and community. Based in the Cedar Valley, Crystal Cold provides refrigerated and frozen storage services to the meat packing industry—a vital part of the regional economy. In his role overseeing business development, Eric focuses on building relationships, finding new opportunities, and ensuring seamless collaboration between customers and the operations team.

Eric’s connection to Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa began when his father, Tom Poe, was honored at the 2024 Cedar Valley Business Hall of Fame. Inspired by the event and JA’s mission, Eric saw an opportunity to give back to his community in a meaningful way. “Our local business community will be relying on young people to develop real-world skills and leadership abilities,” he shares. “Supporting that through Junior Achievement is something I’m proud to be part of.”

In addition to his board service, Eric has volunteered at JA Career Inspire in Waterloo, where he engaged directly with students as they explored career pathways, industries, and the skills needed for future success. He values the opportunity to share real-world insight and help students connect classroom learning to potential careers.

With a background rooted in logistics and the food supply chain, Eric brings valuable insight into how industries operate behind the scenes—from farm to table. His experience in B2B sales and his collaborative, growth-minded approach align closely with Junior Achievement’s focus on preparing students for the modern workforce.

A Cedar Falls native, Eric graduated from Cedar Falls High School and earned his degree from The University of Iowa in 2019. After spending a few years in Chicago, he returned home in 2022 to continue the family legacy at Crystal Cold. Outside of work, he enjoys life with his wife, Gretchen, and their puppy, and he’s an enthusiastic fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Vikings.

Through his service on the Cedar Valley Community Impact Board, Eric looks forward to strengthening local connections and helping inspire the next generation of leaders across Eastern Iowa. “Eric brings an entrepreneurial mindset and a deep understanding of how businesses grow and adapt,” says Kristi Brown, Development Director at Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa. “His insight, engagement, and willingness to lead make him a valuable voice on our Cedar Valley Community Impact Board and a strong advocate for preparing students for what’s next.”